Non-capsizable container



Feb. 6, 196s L, ELDERy 3,367,525

NON-CAPSIZABLE CONTAINER Filed Sept. 16, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYFeb. 6, 1968 c. ELDER 3,367,525

NON-GAPSIZABLE CONTAINER Filed Sept. 16, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet E INVENTORCLARENCE L. ELDER UQAM/57%@ ATTORNEY Feb. 6, 1968 Q ELDER 3,367,525

NON-CAPSIZABLE CONTAINER Filed Sept. 16, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 4e f Q57. f/g 53 Q7." i)

4, 'INVENTOR BY ll f l.

l ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,367,525 NON-CAPSIZABLE CONTAINERClarence L. Elder, Baltimore, Md., assignor :to Elder Products Company,Baltimore, Md'., a corporation of Maryland Filed Sept. 16, 1965, Ser.No. 487,837 6 Claims. (Cl. 220-1) ABSTRACT OF 'THE DISCLOSURE Anon-capsizable floating container or tray having a buoyant frame ofvsemi-rigid material in the form of a closed geometrical figure, anarticle supporting member conforming at least in part to the shape ofthe frame and fitting therewithin and removably interlocked therewith,

the article supporting member being optionally formed as an ashtray,food tray, soapdish, or the like and may in addition be provided with aremovable cover.

The present invention relates to containers or trays and in particularto a floating type to be used in bathtubs, swimming pools and the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a container or tray inwhich the load carried thereby is supported at a low center of gravitywhich displaces water scientifically to insure stability of thecontainer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container or tray thatwill float in the water with such buoyancy as to support certain typesof articles that are necessary or convenient to have readily at hand.

A further object of the invention is to provide a type of containerwhich may be constructed in different forms, such as ducks or boats, forthe amusement of children in combination with its special application ofusefulness to the hold of various objects.

While several objects of the invention have been pointed out, otherobjects, uses and advantages will become more apparent as the nature ofthe invention is more fully disclosed, including its constructioncombination and arrangement of its several parts as shown in theaccompanying drawings and described in the detailed description tofollow.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a soap tray.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a plan View of a modification of tray adapted for use as anashtray.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a plan View of still another modification of a soap tray.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of thetray showing its structure more in detail.

FIGURE 8 is a plan View of a further modified form of a container ortray of a type for serving refreshments.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIGURE 8showing the addition of a cover.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view also taken on line 8 8 of FIGURE 8 withoutthe cover.

FIGURE 11 is a schematic plan View of still a further modified form ofthe container.

In describing the invention like reference numerals are used to pointout like and similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to FIGURES l and 2 the tray A is provided with a float 10extending entirely about the perimeter of ICC 'the tray. This float maybe of semi-rigid material and will vmaintain its shape, or it may be ofa flexible material and is inflated by a gas, air or the like. The gasis injected into the float through the valve 11 by any of the well-knowndevices.

Adapted to be supported within the float is a support 12. About itsedges there is a double flange shown at 13 and 14 and is of such form asto be snapped into position about the inner surface of the float. Thesupport 12 is provided with openings 15 for drainage and a thickercentral portion 12' and a threaded openingy 16 therethrough to be laterreferred to.

FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrates the tray shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2 with theaddition of an ashtray. The floats 10', the support 12 are substantiallythe same as that shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. The ashtray is designated bythe numeral 18, and is preferably of metal having positioned at itsYends metal rests 20 and 22 for a cigarette, cigar, pipe or the like.The ashtray 18 vis held to the support 12 by a stem 24 having a-shoulder25 and a thread 26 on its lower end adapted to be threadably received inthe threaded opening 16. The upper end of the stem is provided with ahandle 27 for rotating the stern 24 and for carrying the same.

In the modified form shown in FIGURES 5 and 7, the float is constructedof a plastic foam 30 known commercially as Styrofoam- The float extendsentirely about the tray. This type of float is substantially rigid andnormally holds its shape. Adapted to snap into the float 30 is a support32 and may be attached to the float by a press fit, glue or by a beadshown at 33. This particular support is shown in grid form having oneset of grids 34 running in one direction and another set of grids 36running in the opposite direction.

The form of container or tray shown in FIGURES 9 to 11 is particularlydesigned for use as floating snacks or refreshment trays and are quitesimilar in general construction to the smaller soap and/or ashtrayspreviously shown and described. This container is also provided withperipheral floats 40, a refreshment supporting element 42. Thesupporting element is provided with a double flange 43 and 44 which isadapted to snap into place about the inner surface of the float 40 asshown in FIGURES 9 and l0. The support 42 is provided with raisedportions 46 upon which food or other articles may be placed and in thecenter of the tray there is a walled area 47 having partitions 47adapted to receive one or more beverages container 48. This walled inarea is preferably provided with openings 49 to relieve any air pressurebeneath the surface of the supporting element 42.

This tray is provided with a cover 50, which may be placed over the trayif desired. The cover is provided with a flange 50. The float 40 isprovided with holes 41 located about the sides and ends of the float toreceive a plurality of pins, or legs 51 attached to the cover forpositioning the cover over the tray or container and which may be usedfor legs when removed from the tray. The cover 50 is also preferablyprovided with a central cut-out section 53 for allowing beveragecontainer to extend beyond the cover 50 as shown.

The float 40 may be self contained, or inflated by any of the well-knowndevices by inserting gas or air through the valve 11.

A further modified form of the invention is shown in FIGURE 11 whereinfloats 60 are positioned on opposite sides of the article carryingmember 62. The cross-sectional diameter of the float may be increasedover the encircling type of float to make up for the difference inbuoyancy.

While a particular structure of the invention has been shown anddescribed in detail, it is not intended as a limitation and the scope ofthe invention is best dened in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A floating tray comprising:

(a) a float member in the form of a frame of closed geometrical shapewith an open center area, said float member composed of buoyantsemi-rigid material,

(b) an article supporting member having at least a portion thereof of asize and shape to t within the open center area of said oat member,

(c) the inner peripheral surface of the oat member and the outerperipheral surface of the article supporting member having cooperatingintertting means thereon engageable and releasable by snap action forreleasably holding the article supporting member in the oat member, saidinterftting means comprising a groove in one of said members and a rib0n the other of said members adapted to snap into and out of saidgroove.

2. In a oating tray as claimed in claim 1 where the article supportingmember is provided with means for removably securing a second articlesupport over the upper surface of the tirst mentioned support.

3. In a floating tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein the articlesupporting member is provided with holding means adjacent the center forretaining a plurality of relatively heavy articles adjacent the center.

4. In a Iloating container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tray isprovided with a cover for covering the entire upper surface of the tray.

5. In a oating container as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cover isprovided with a flange extending outwardly thereof adapted to engage andrest upon the said float for supporting the cover.

6. A oating tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein the article supportingmember is in the form of an open grid.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,346,937 4/ 1944 Olson.2,662,532 12/1953 Lyon 220-42 X 2,756,895 7/1956 Enders 220-21 X3,015,406 1/1962 Nolte 220-1 3,048,317 8/ 1962 Cochrane 220-60 X3,083,665 4/1963 Steidley.

3,184,071 5/1965 Delaire 220-22 X 3,201,017 8/ 1965 Morrissey 220-22FOREIGN PATENTS 701,370 1/ 1965 Canada.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE E. LOWRANCE, Examiner.

